A good tennis shoe will help you comfortably endure the rigors of the game's quick stops and starts, short sprints and frequent lateral movements. Taking into account your playing style, the type of court on which you typically play and your foot type are essential to making the proper shoe selection.

Tennis is a sport that is rough on shoes, particularly the sole and toe area, so finding a shoe with a sole that is durable enough to meet your particular needs is important. Remember that increased durability often means increased shoe weight, so evaluate your requirements carefully.

Playing style

Serve and volley player

Tends to frequently charge the net a lot

Tends to slide back foot along the court during the serve, so a shoe with a durable toecap (also called a reinforced toe) is essential

A toecap is an extra piece of rubber that is added to the inside of the outsole at the toe area of some tennis shoes to increase their durability

Baseline player

Primarily plays along back line of the court

Shoes need a lot of lateral support to handle constant sideways motion

Also needs a shoe with a highly durable sole

Court type

Hard court

When playing on a hard court, look for shoes with more durable soles

Clay/Grass

Softer surfaces are more forgiving on shoes, so your durability requirements aren't as great